Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters seem to be in the news a lot. I've been watching the coverage following hurricane Sandy. Among other things, people have been coping with the loss of their homes, a lack of electricity and transportation constraints — including subway shutdowns and long waits in line for gasoline.

If you have a chronic medical condition, including diabetes, you're especially vulnerable during such disasters. Daily routine and regular meals are important for good blood sugar control. The disruption in routine and the stress from the chaotic nature of a disaster can adversely affect your diabetes management and your health. And if you take insulin, you likely need it every day, often multiple times a day, to keep blood sugars in balance. During a disaster, you might not have your usual access to your health care providers, medications, medical supplies or all of these. For these reasons, it's important to be prepared, before a disaster is imminent.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends that you include the following items and information in a disaster preparedness kit that's insulated and waterproof:

List of all medical conditions and prior surgeries

Information about your diabetes, including past and present medications, any adverse reactions to medications, and present diabetes complications

Cooler and at least four refreezable gel packs for storing insulin (don't use dry ice) — you might also consider including a few extra insulin cooling cases for use during a power outage

Empty plastic bottles or a sharps container for syringes, needles and lancet disposal

If you use an insulin pump, I'd also recommend keeping extra infusion supplies and batteries in the kit.

In addition, consider keeping these generally recommended supplies on hand in case of a disaster or emergency.

Emergency radio with fresh batteries

Flashlight with extra batteries

Cell phone

Pencil and pad of paper

Candles and matches

Whistle

First-aid kit

Female sanitary supplies

Copy of health insurance cards

Heavy work or garden gloves

Important family documents (e.g., titles, birth certificates)

Two- to four-week supply of water for each person

Things to remember
If coping with a disaster, keep in mind how it might affect your diabetes. Stress, as you know, can lead to high blood sugar. Mealtimes are usually erratic during a disaster, and that can also cause changes in your blood sugar, especially if you take oral medications or insulin. Changes in activity, such as repairing damages or doing cleanup without stopping for a snack, can lower your blood glucose. Or, if your blood glucose is over 250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L), excessive exercise or activity can cause your blood glucose to rise even higher.

In addition to keeping an eye on your blood sugar management, always wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes, and check your feet daily for irritation, blisters, sores or infection. Things like contaminated flood water and disaster debris can increase your risk for injury.

6 Comments Posted

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King

May 14, 2013 4:00 p.m.

Tiffany: Keep the insulin refrigerated as you do now. Insulin can be moved to the kit during a disaster situation and kept in the cooler. Frio packs are another option. They are compact. They keep insulin cool for 72 hours each time you wet the pack.

Nancy and Peggy

May 12, 2013 10:20 p.m.

Hello,
I am confused about how to store insulin for emergency prep. Your guide mentions having it in all of the various kits etc, but my sister who has type 1 insists that it needs to be used within a month and so there is no way to keep extra supplies around. I am very concerned about insulin as she obviously will not be able to survive without it.
Could you please give suggestions on 1. if it is possible to store extra insulin, and 2. if that just isn't possible, where can we go during an emergency to get more insulin?
Thank you.

Tiffany

December 6, 2012 12:57 a.m.

Very Nice Article, It Really Helps Me Lot. lot of Detecting Devices Available in market but I am confused with the brands and Products, finally I find Accu Chek as best option for monitoring and maintaining Blood Sugar level.

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